Senior Assisted Living: Weighing Your Options

As people age and become less able to perform daily tasks without assistance, alternate living arrangements must be considered. Assisted living is one such alternative. In an assisted living community, residents are encouraged to be as independent as possible while being provided with degrees of assistance when needed. The community normally includes a room or small apartment, a certain number of prepared meals, personal care and support services, social activities, and 24-hour supervision. Some communities even offer health-related services.

Assisted living homes vary greatly in size, appearance, and the level/type of services they offer. Some provide meals, basic housekeeping, and help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing and grooming. Others also arrange transportation and certain health services. Costs are also vastly different, with the monthly fee based on the services provided.

The community itself could be a small home/townhouse capable of accomodating only a few people or a multi-dwelling apartment-style building with as many as 200 or more residents. Living areas also range from a single room to a full apartment with a small kitchen, with prepared meals also served in a common dining area.

An assisted living facility is good for people who are unable to live alone, but who don't need a nursing home or full-time care. Older people have many different needs. Needs often increase over time, so assisted living offers different levels of care at different costs. Residents of an assisted living community associated with a nursing home may be able to obtain a higher degree of assistance if they need it at a later date.

If a senior assisted living community sounds like a good fit, a personal visit is critical in helping you make a final decision..